Hard Cover Product With Concealed Printed Security Device

ABSTRACT

A hard cover product with a pair of cover boards attached to an outer liner in spaced-relation to define a spine, with a thin-film ink-circuit security device printed on a laydown area, and having an inner liner. The laydown area can be defined in the spine, and the inner liner or an inner body attached to the cover boards conceals the printed security device from casual observation of its presence. The laydown area can be defined on a surface of a sheet laminated to another sheet to define one of cover boards. The laminated sheets sandwich the printed security device without a surface indication of the presence of the ink-circuit printed security device therein. In another aspect, the thin-film ink-circuit security device printed on a surface of the cover board is concealingly covered by the inner or the outer liner.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of nonprovisonalpatent application Ser. No. 11/761,917, filed Jun. 12, 2007, which is acontinuation-in-part of nonprovisional patent application Ser. No.11/593,314, filed Nov. 6, 2006, which is a continuation ofnonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 10/886,355, filed Jul. 7,2004, U.S. Pat. No. 7,183,918, which claims priority to provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 60/562,586, filed Apr. 14, 2004, all ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to hard cover products. More particularly,the present invention relates to a hard cover product with a concealedsecurity device for facilitating manufacture and use of hard coverproducts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, tracking of inventory of goods has become of increasedimportance. Inventory of goods represents a significant investment incapital. In addition to cost factors, other aspects prompting increasedinterest in tracking inventory include the increase in just-in-timemanufacturing in which materials are provided by suppliers shortly priorto the time of use by the manufacturer of goods, as well as theftdeterrence and inventory verification and auditing.

Various electronic and mechanical devices have been provided fortracking and monitoring of goods and containers. These devices includeacoustic magnetic security strips and radio frequency security tags.These devices often are embodied in tags, pods, labels, or patches,having adhesive surfaces for attaching the device to the goods or theircontainers. These devices facilitate tracking and monitoring of goodsand containers. The security devices are typically attached to thearticles particularly susceptible to pilferage and improper removal froma warehouse or retail store. The security devices include a detectablesensor. One known type of security tag has a circuit that resonates at apredetermined detection frequency range. A transmitter provideselectromagnetic energy that excites the circuit. A receiver detects theoutput signal from the resonating circuit. The transmitter and thereceiver are located at detection points, often exits from retailfacilities. As the article is carried through the detection point, thereceiver signals an alert when an activated sensor device is detected.For articles that are permitted to pass (such as purchased articles), aseparate device is used to deactivate the detectable sensor prior topassage. Other devices include RFID devices that communicate digitalsignals. In some known RFID devices, the signal is indicative of uniqueidentifiers for tracking particular containers. Moreover, thin-film RFIDdevices have recently been developed that provide very thin deviceconfigurations.

Often large retailers require manufacturers of articles to includetracking and monitoring devices within the containers for the articles.For smaller retailers and smaller inventories of articles, the trackingand monitoring devices may not be included with or attached tocontainers. In such circumstances, the articles may be provided withafter-market tracking and monitoring devices. For example, electronicarticle surveillance tags are available with adhesive backing to securethe tags to the containers. While the containers are thereby subject toelectronic article surveillance, the adhesively attached tags experienceproblems during use. One significant problem is that the tags, being onthe exterior of the container, are susceptible to removal. Removing thesecurity tag facilitates unauthorized removal of the article from thesecured area. However, removal by a purchaser also causes problems. Thecovering to which the security tag attaches may become torn or ripped.The package with the security tag, or without such by removal, isunattractive. The security tag may also overlie or cover over ornamentalgraphics or text on the packaging.

Also, importantly, the attachment of an electronic security tag to aninterim assembly of an article during manufacture lead to production andhandling problems. The security tag projects from the surface to whichit attaches. This causes stacked ones of the interim assemblies togradually angle or tip as the stack height increases with placement ofadditional interim assemblies. For example, hard cover books assembledusing casing machines receive an outer liner that attaches to frontcover stock and back cover stock. Such interim assemblies are stackedfor a second pass through the casing machine to apply an inner liner.Angled stacks make production and handling more difficult duringmanufacturing. Further, the protruding security tag may scratch theadjacent assembly, for example, when a feeder device pushes one of theassemblies from a hopper for processing and applying the inner liner.

Accordingly there is a need in the art for providing hard cover productswith concealed security tracking and monitoring devices. It is to suchthat the present invention is directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets the need in the art by providing a hardcover product, comprising an outer liner and a pair of rigid coverboards pre-cut to a selected size and disposed in spaced-apart relationto define a spine gap for a hard cover product while defining opposingfront cover and back cover therefor and each attached on a respectivemajor surface to a major surface of the outer liner. At least one of therigid cover boards comprises a pair of opposing sheets having opposingplanar surfaces with a length and width exceeding a thickness, a firstone of the pair of opposing sheets defining in a selected portion alaydown area on the planar surface thereof and a thin-film ink-circuitsecurity device printed on the laydown area, the printed thin-filmink-circuit security device having a thickness no greater than about aminority of the thickness of the sheet. The pair of opposing sheetslaminated together to sandwich the printed thin-film ink-circuitsecurity device concealingly there between, with the opposing sides ofthe one of the rigid cover boards substantially parallel without asurface indication of the presence of the printed thin-film securitydevice therein, whereby the printed thin-film ink-circuit securitydevice enclosed and laminated in said one of the rigid cover boards isconcealed from casual indication of its presence and is held afterlamination safely and securely therein during manufacture of the hardcover product and during normal use thereof for hard cover productpurposes. An inner liner attached in overlying relation to the opposingplanar surfaces of the rigid cover boards and an interior bodycooperatively supported within the hard cover product. The opposingrigid cover boards define a front cover and back cover that movetogether foldably along lines defined by opposing sides of the spine forcontaining the interior body within the hard cover product.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a hard cover product,comprising an outer liner and a pair of cover boards pre-cut to aselected size and disposed in spaced-apart relation to define a spinegap for a hard cover product while defining opposing front cover andback cover therefor and each attached on a first respective majorsurface to a major surface of the outer liner. At least one of the coverboards comprising a sheet having opposing planar surfaces with a lengthand width exceeding a thickness, a first one of the opposing planarsurfaces defining in a selected portion a laydown area thereof; and athin-film ink-circuit security device printed on the laydown area, theprinted thin-film ink-circuit security device having a thickness nogreater than about a minority of the thickness of the sheet. An innerliner attached in overlying relation to the respective second majorsurfaces of the cover boards, the inner liner and the one of the coverboards laminated together to sandwich the printed thin-film ink-circuitsecurity device concealingly there between, whereby the printedthin-film ink-circuit security device enclosed therein is concealed fromcasual indication of its presence and is held after lamination safelyand securely therein during manufacture of the hard cover product andduring normal use thereof for hard cover product purposes. An interiorbody cooperatively supported within the hard cover product, with theopposing cover boards defining a front cover and back cover that movetogether foldably along lines defined by opposing sides of the spine forsupporting and enclosing the interior body within the hard coverproduct.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a hard cover product,comprising an outer liner and a pair of cover boards pre-cut to aselected size and disposed in spaced-apart relation to define a gap thatreceives a spine for a hard cover product while defining opposing frontcover and back cover therefor and each attached on a respective firstmajor surface to a major surface of the outer liner. The cover boardseach comprising a sheet having opposing planar surfaces with a lengthand width exceeding a thickness. The spine defining in a selectedportion a laydown area with a thin-film ink-circuit security deviceprinted on the laydown area, the printed thin-film ink-circuit securitydevice having a thickness no greater than about a minority of thethickness of the chipboard cover boards. An inner liner attached inoverlying relation to the respective second major surfaces of the coverboards, the inner liner and the cover boards laminate together. Aninterior body cooperatively supported within the hard cover product withopposing sides attached to the inner liner and a back attached to thespine for concealing the printed thin-film ink-circuit security devicefrom casual indication of its presence and held after attachment safelyand securely therein during manufacture of the hard cover product andduring normal use thereof for hard cover product purposes. The opposingcover boards define a front cover and back cover that move togetherfoldably along lines defined by opposing sides of the spine forsupporting and enclosing the interior body within the hard coverproduct.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a hard cover product,comprising an outer liner and a pair of cover boards pre-cut to aselected size and disposed in spaced-apart relation to define a gap thatreceives a spine for a hard cover product while defining opposing frontcover and back cover therefor and each attached on a respective firstmajor surface to a major surface of the outer liner. The cover boardseach comprising a sheet having opposing planar surfaces with a lengthand width exceeding a thickness. The spine defining in a selectedportion a laydown area with a thin-film ink-circuit security deviceprinted on the laydown area, the printed thin-film ink-circuit securitydevice having a thickness no greater than about a minority of thethickness of the cover boards. An inner liner attached in overlyingrelation to the respective second major surfaces of the chipboard coverboards and overlapping the spine, the inner liner and the cover boardslaminated together for concealing the printed thin-film ink-circuitsecurity device from casual indication of its presence and held afterattachment safely and securely therein during manufacture of the hardcover product and during normal use thereof for hard cover productpurposes. An interior body cooperatively supported within the hard coverproduct. The opposing cover boards define a front cover and back coverthat move together foldably along lines defined by opposing sides of thespine for supporting and enclosing the interior body within the hardcover product.

Objects, advantages and features of the present invention will becomeapparent from reading of the following detailed description of theinvention and claims in view of the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a hard cover product in which a security deviceis attached to an exterior surface.

FIG. 2 is an end view of a stack of assemblies used to make a hard coverproduct illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an embodiment of the present inventionproviding a hard cover product with a concealed security device.

FIG. 4 is an exploded edge view of the hard cover product assemblyillustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of the hard coverproduct according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a hard cover product illustratingfeatures of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the hardcover product according to the present invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views of a hard cover product with abound assembly of papers for a book.

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of an assembly line for manufacturinghard cover products of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a hard cover product in which a securitydevice is enclosed in an intermediate laminated cover board according tothe present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective cut-away view of the intermediate laminatedcover board illustrated in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a perspective exploded view of the intermediate laminatedcover board illustrated in FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the intermediate laminatedcover board illustrated in FIG. 10, taken along the line 13-13.

FIG. 14 illustrates in perspective view an alternate embodiment of theintermediate laminated cover board using a sheet type security device inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates in cross-sectional side view the alternateembodiment of the intermediate laminated cover board shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 illustrates in perspective exploded view an alternate embodimentof an intermediate cover board that features a combination dual securitydevice in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective exploded view of an alternate embodiment of ahard cover product in which a thin-film type security device is enclosedwithin a cover board.

FIG. 18 is a perspective cut-away view of an alternate embodiment of ahard cover product in which a thin-film type security device isconcealed between a cover board and a liner.

FIG. 19 illustrates in perspective cut-away view an alternate embodimentof a hard cover product with a thin-film ink-circuit security deviceprinted in situ and concealed between opposing sheets that define acover board.

FIG. 20 a illustrates in perspective cut-away view an alternateembodiment of a hard cover product with a thin-film ink-circuit securitydevice printed in situ on a surface of the spine and concealed by aninner body.

FIG. 20 b illustrates in perspective cut-away view an alternateembodiment of a hard cover product with a thin-film ink-circuit securitydevice printed in situ on a surface of the spine and concealed by aninner liner sheet.

FIG. 21 illustrates in perspective cut-away view an alternate embodimentof a hard cover product with a thin-film ink-circuit security deviceprinted in situ on a surface of a cover board and concealed by the innerliner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now in more detail to the drawings in which like numeralsrefer to like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates ahard cover product 10 having an outer liner 12, a pair of spaced-apartsheets 14, 16, and covered by an inner liner 18. The enclosed sheets 14,16 define front and back covers for the product. A pair of spaced-apartgrooves or scores 20 enable the sheets 14, 16 to fold together to closethe hard cover product 10. A gap 22 between the scores 20 defines aspine or back of the closeable hard cover product 10. A security sensor24 attaches with adhesive to the face of the inner liner 18 in aselected position. The sensor extends above the surface defined by theinner liner 18. As illustrated in FIG. 2, this can lead to handling andproduction problems during manufacture of the hard cover product 10. Theupwardly extending security sensor causes a portion of the stack to bedisposed an oblique angle 26, rather than lying flat. This uneven stackmakes handling of work in progress more difficult.

FIG. 3 illustrates a hard cover product 30 according to the presentinvention in which the security sensor 24 is concealed within anassembly of the outer liner 12, the sheets 14, 16, and the inner liner18. FIG. 4 is an exploded edge view of the hard cover product assemblyillustrated in FIG. 3. A recess 32 is formed in the sheet 14 such as bydie cutting the sheet in a casing operation typical for binding of booksusing a casing machine. An applicator apparatus places the securitysensor 24 within the recess 32. The outer liner 12 closes the recess 32from an exterior side of the assembly for the hard cover product 30, andthe inner liner 18 closes the recess 32 from the opposing interior side.The inner liner 18 thereby conceals the security device 24 within thehard cover product 30.

The thickness of the sheet 14 (on a line 34 shown in FIG. 4 transversethrough the opposing major surfaces) is preferably sufficient that thesecurity device 24 is recessed in the recess 32 relative to the majorsurfaces. The sheets 14, 16 are cardboard sheet, fiberboard sheets, orother stiff or hard sheet material suitable for forming a cover to abook, casing, or other article-container.

In the illustrated embodiment, the gap 22 defines scores or grooves inthe overlapped inner and outer lines 12, 18. These define pivots orlines on which the front and back covers fold together.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a hard cover product 50according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a substantiallyplanner radio frequency tag 52 attaches to the surface of the sheet 14a. The inner liner 18 attaches in overlaying relation to the sheets 14,16. In the illustrated embodiment, which does not include the recess 32,the inner liner 18 extends over the area of the spine. The inner liner18 thereby overlies and concealingly encloses the sheet-like securitytag 52. The security tag 52 is perceptible as a slight bulge, butgenerally does not detract from the graphics or text on the inner liner.

In the illustrated embodiment, the hard cover product 50 attaches to aninterior body, such as plastic matingly engagable plastic diskholders,configured for receiving compact discs or DVD discs. However, theinterior body may be a bound assembly of papers for a book. Other shelldevices that define an interior body for the hard cover product may begainfully attached to the interior front and back covers, such as forpackaging small articles, video tapes, books, ring binders, or otherarticles. For example, FIGS. 8A and 8 b illustrate a bound assembly 61of paper sheets containing printed material to be bound in the hardcover product as a book. The bound assembly 61 attaches to the spine 22.

FIG. 6 illustrates the hard cover product 50 in which the outer liner 12includes an indicia 62 such as a bar code or other product inventorynumber. In this embodiment, the recess 32 for the security tag 24 (orsecurity tag 52 attached to the sheet 14) is disposed substantially inalignment with the indicia 62. In this way, a security tag detectordeactivates the security tag when the hard cover product 30 is scannedfor pricing, so that the product can be taken from a store withouttriggering alarms.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a hard cover product 70that includes a three-ring binder assembly 72. In this embodiment, thesheet 14 receives one of the sheet-like security devices 52, although inan alternate embodiment, the sheet defining front (or back) coverincludes the recess 32.

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of an assembly line 90 formanufacturing hard cover products of the present invention discussedabove. The assembly line 90 includes a supply hopper 92 that receives astack 93 of interim assemblies of the hard cover product. A casingmachine 94 operates to cut blanks of cardboard sheets to define thefront and back cover bodies enclosed in the outer and inner liners. Thecasing machine 94 also includes a rotatatable cylinder 91 with a cutter95 for slitting open the recess 32. An interim assembly of the hardcover product includes the outer liner 12 attached to the sheets 14, 16.A label applicator 96 receives a supply of security tags 24 andpositions one in the recess 32 or on the sheet 14 (for a sheet typesecurity tag). Operation of the assembly line in a first stage ofmanufacture results in interim assemblies that are subsequently returnedto the hopper for attaching the inner liner 18.

The assembly line 90 further includes an inner liner application station97 in which the inner liner 18 is attached in overlying relation to themajor surfaces of the sheets 14, 16 opposing the outer liner 12. A gluestation 98 includes an adhesive applicator 100 for depositing a selectedadhesive 101 to the inner liner 18. A casing applicator 102 includes asupply hopper 104 that holds a plurality of interior bodies or casings103, such as the engageable shells 54, 56. A metering device 106 causesone of the casings 103 to be positioned on the spine 22. Opposingploughs 108 guide the opposing front and back covers to pivot togetherto foldingly close the hard cover product. Rollers 110 bear against theopposing covers to close the hard cover product and to force the casing103 into engaging contact with the adhesive. The completed, closed hardcover product then is received in a stacker 112 for packaging.

While the hard cover product 10 described above provides the enclosedand concealed security sensor 24, the exterior surfaces of the outerliner 12 and the inner line 18 tend to include indications of thepresence of the security sensor contained therein. These indicationsinclude a subtle but noticeable border defined by the edge of the recess32, a shallow depression in the outer liner 12 or the inner liner 18 inthe proximity of the recess, or a shallowly bulging portion proximate tothe recess. The present invention provides in another aspect asillustrated in FIG. 10, an intermediate laminated cover board 120 thatdoes not display surface indications of the presence of the securitysensor or device 32 enclosed within a hard cover product 122 assembledusing the intermediate laminated cover board. The hard cover product 122includes the outer liner 12, a cover board 124, the intermediatelaminated cover board 120 disposed spaced apart therefrom, and an innerliner 18. The cover board 124 and the intermediate laminated cover board120 overlaid with the outer liner 12 and the inner liner 18 define frontand back covers for the hard cover product, such as a book, a binder, adisc enclosure, or the like product having an interior body. A gapbetween the spaced apart cover board 124 and intermediate laminatedcover board 120 define a spine for the hard cover product 122 thatcloses by folding the opposing cover boards along line defined by thespine.

With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the intermediate laminated coverboard 120 (illustrated in perspective cut-away view and perspectiveexploded view, respectively), is gainfully used for assembling hardcover products 122. The intermediate laminated cover board 120 includesa primary or central sheet 130 having opposing planar surfaces 132, 134with a length and width exceeding a first thickness 136. The centralsheet 130 further defines an opening 138 through the central sheet. Theopening 138 is formed by a die cutter such as a roller with an extendingdie that bears upon the cover board as it moves past the roller on aconveyor. The opening 138 is formed in a selected portion of the coverboard, and particularly so that the outer cover 12 can be printed withan indicia such as a bar code that also directs the positioning of asecurity canceling device such as the scanners used at store checkoutregisters.

The security device 32 is received in the opening 138. In theillustrated embodiment, the security device 32 has a thickness generallyno greater than about a substantial majority of the thickness of thecentral sheet 130, so that opposing sides of the security device 32 aresubstantially co-planar with respective ones of the opposing planarsurfaces 132, 134 of the central sheet, as best illustrated incross-sectional view in FIG. 13, taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 10.

A pair of opposing exterior sheets 142, 144 attach with an adhesive as alamination to respective opposing planar surfaces 132, 134 of thecentral sheet 130. The exterior sheets 142, 144 each have a respectivesecond thickness that less than the first thickness 136. The laminatedexterior sheets 142, 144 thereby enclose the security device 32 in theopening 138 and between the exterior sheets. The thickness of theexterior sheets 142, 144 is sufficiently sized so that the laminatedintermediate cover board 120 does not display surface indications of thepresence of the security device 32. The security device 32 therebyenclosed in the central sheet 130 is concealed from casual indication ofits presence.

The central board 130, as well as the exterior boards 142, 144 are madeof a semi-rigid sheet material, such as chip board, pasted chip board,card board, grey fibreboard, or the like material used for cover boardsfor books, backings for note pads, and the like products.

With reference to FIGS. 11-13, the center board 130 and the exteriorboards 142, 144 intermediate together to produce the laminated board 120for subsequent use as a component of hard cover products. The centralsheet 130 is provided with the opening 138 such as by a die cutterextending through the opposing surfaces in the selected portion. Theexterior sheet 144 then laminates with an adhesive to the planar surface134. This closes the opening 138 on one side. The security device 32 ispositioned in the opening 138. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the securitydevice 32 preferably has a thickness no greater than about a substantialmajority of the thickness of the central sheet 130 so that opposingsides are no more than substantially co-planar with the opposing planarsurfaces 132, 134 of the central sheet. The second exterior sheet 142laminates to the planar surface 132 to enclose the security device 32and to form an intermediate laminated board 130 that does not display onthe opposing surfaces defined by the exterior sheets indications of thepresence of the security device in the intermediate laminated board 130.

In an example, the central board 130 has a length of 7½ inches, a widthof 5¾ inches, and a thickness of 0.060 inches. The opening 138 is cut 1inch from the head of the central board 130 and is centered laterally. Acommercially available type of security device has a thickness of about0.056 inches. The exterior boards 142, 144 conform in length and widthto the central board, and have a thickness of about 0.010 inches. In analternate embodiment, the central board 130 can be left open on oneside, by using one exterior board having a thickness of about 0.020inches, which may be a less expensive embodiment of the invention. Otherembodiments are readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artof forming hard cover products.

With reference to FIG. 10, the intermediate laminated cover board 130readily assembles with the cover board 124, the outer cover 12, and theinner cover 18, as discussed above to form the foldable hard coverproduct 122 to enclose the security device 32 while not having casuallyobservable surface indications as to the security device.

FIG. 14 illustrates in perspective cut-away view an alternate embodimentof a intermediate laminated cover board 150 using a sheet-type securitydevice such as the planar radio frequency tag 52 while not displayingsurface indications of the presence the security device. FIG. 15illustrates in cross-sectional exploded side view the intermediatelaminated cover board 150 which defines a shallow recess 154. The recess154 has a bottom surface and is formed in the cover board by a debossprocess. The recess 154 results from passing the cover board 152 betweena roller having a projection and a pressure plate, which projectioncompresses the selected portion of the cover board in order to definethe shallow recess 154 therein. The recess 154 thereafter receives oneof the planar radio frequency tags 52. The depth of the deboss recess154 is about the thickness of the radio frequency tag 52, but generallyis sufficiently compressed so that an exterior surface of the radiofrequency tag 52 is coplanar or recessed relative to a surface of thecover board 152 around the recess. A liner board 156 attaches withadhesive in overlaying relation and enclosing the radio frequency tag 52in the recess with little if any exterior surface indication of thepresence of the security device enclosed within the laminated structure.It is to be appreciated that with respect to FIG. 15, the securitysensor (radio frequency tag 52) is totally concealed before a cover 12and inner liner 18 are applied. The intermediate cover board 150 mayalso be supplied to a manufacturer of hard cover products (such as abook binder) without the laminated cover liner 156 for application bythe binder of the cover 12 and liner 18. This alternate embodiment withthe recess 154 may have slight surface indications of the security tagafter application of the cover 12.

FIG. 16 illustrates in perspective exploded view an alternate embodimentof an intermediate cover board 160 that accommodates a combinationsecurity device 166. The cover board 160 defines a slot 162 and anadjacent recess 164. The slot 162 is die cut through the cover board 160while the recess 164 is debossed therein as discussed above. Thecombination security device 166 includes a backing sheet 168 with anacoustic magnetic security bar 170 and a planar radio frequency tag 172.A perimeter portion of the combination security tag 166 includes anadhesive coating 173.

For purposes of illustration, FIG. 16 illustrates the combinationsecurity tag 166 with the security bar 170 and the planar radiofrequency tag 172 disposed in a direction away from the cover board 160.When installed, the combination security device 166 is disposed towardsthe cover board 160 with the security bar 170 received in the slot 162and planar sheet radio frequency tag 172 disposed in the recess 164,respectively. The adhesive coating 173 on the perimeter secures thecombination security tag 166 in place.

While not illustrated, it is to be appreciated with reference to FIGS.11 and 12 that the combination security tag 166 can be enclosed bylaminating a cover liner 142 to the cover board 160, and further in analternate embodiment, a pair of opposing cover boards 142, 144 can belaminated to opposing sides of the cover board 160. The embodimentillustrated in FIG. 16 is gainfully used in facilities (such as storesor libraries, as examples) having one or both of such security detectiondevices. The intermediate cover board 160 including the security device166 is provided to manufacturers of hard cover products for applyingcover liners 12 and inner liners 18. The resulting hard cover producthas reduced surface indications of the presence of the hidden enclosedsecurity device or with the cover liner 142, 144, the product lacksobservable indications of the enclosed security device. The manufacturerof hard cover products can select an embodiment having the cover liners142, 144, or the single layer intermediate cover board.

FIG. 17 illustrates in a perspective exploded view a hard cover product192 having opposing cover boards 180 and 186, in which the cover board180 conceals a thin-film security device 188. The cover board 186 andthe cover board 180 attach to the outer liner 12 and the inner liner 18.The cover boards 186, 180 define front and back covers for the hardcover product 192, such as a book, a binder, a disc enclosure, or thelike product having an interior body, as illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 and8A. The coverboards are typical caliper board used for book binding orother hardcover products. Generally, the larger the book to be bound orcased, a thicker board is used. For example, a book that has a surfacearea of approximately 12×12 inches would use a thicker board than a bookthat has a surface area of 9×6 inches. Larger board warps more readily,so thicker boards are used to reduce warpage. Typically boards arereferenced in terms of points or thousands of an inch; for example butnot limitation, an 80 point board. The gap 22 between the cover board186 and the cover board 180 defines the spine for the hard cover product192. The hard cover product 192 closes by folding the opposing coverboards 180, 186 along the scores 20 in the outer liner 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cover board 180 assembles from a pairof opposing boards or sheets 182, 184 that attach together, e.g., withan adhesive, laminatingly on respective opposing major planar surfaces.The boards 182, 184 are typically the same or similar to the abovedescribed boards 130, 142, 144, and as such, are typically made of asemi-rigid or flexible material, such as chip board, pasted chip board,card board, grey fibreboard, or the like material used for cover boardsfor books, backings for note pads, and the like products. The boards182, 184 attach together to form the cover board 180 for subsequent useas a component of hard cover products, such as for casing in a bookbinding process. By way of example and without limitation, two 40 pointchipboards laminate together to form a substantially 80 point coverboard180 for use in hard cover products, while concealingly sandwiching therebetween the security device 188.

The thin-film type security device 188 is typically a thin-film RFIDdevice. Thin-film RFID devices have recently been developed andtypically have very thin, planar configurations or sheets, such asRAFSEC tags available from UPM Raflatac at www.upmraflatac.com.Generally, such thin film security device is about 1 to 4 millimetersthick. In accordance with the present invention, such configurations aretypically sufficiently thin that the thin-film RFID device 188 can beconcealed under a board, sheet, liner, etc., such as the boards 182, 184(or the liner described below), without the use of a recess, opening, orthe like with minimal or no resulting indications of the presence of thethin-film RFID device thereunder. Generally, thin-film security deviceshave a thickness that is less than a minority portion of the thicknessof the coverboard 184 or liner. As discussed above, an RFID device suchas the thin-film RFID device 188 includes an electronic response deviceto include an electronic response device to operate as a securitysensor, device, tag, etc. for hard cover products.

The board 184 defines a laydown area or portion 190 on a major planarsurface thereof for positioning of the thin-film type security device188. The laydown area 190 may be merely a designated location for theautomated placement of the thin-film type security device 188, or it mayalso be configured, for example, to facilitate the attachment of thethin-film type security device 82 by adhesive or other means. In someembodiments, the hard cover product 192 may include indicia (not shown)such as a bar code or other product inventory number, for example,indicia 62 on the outer liner 12 with the laydown area 190 substantiallyin alignment with the indicia. A security device detector for examplemay read and deactivate the security device (i.e., the thin-film typesecurity device 188) when the hard cover product 192 is scanned forpricing, so that the product can be taken from a store withouttriggering an alarm. Inventory tracking also may receive informationabout the sale of the product.

The thin-film type security device 188 is positioned on the laydown area190, and the boards 182, 184 are laminated or otherwise attachedtogether (e.g., by an adhesive) sandwiching the thin-film type securitydevice 188 there between and thereby substantially or totally concealingits presence inside the coverboard 184. The opposing sides of the board180 are substantially parallel without a surface indication of thesecurity device 188 concealed within the board.

FIG. 18 illustrates in a perspective cut-away view a hard cover product194 which conceals the thin-film type security device 188 attached to aplanar surface of the cover board 198. The cover boards 196, 198 withthe outer liner 12 and the inner liner 200, define front and back coversfor the hard cover product 194, such as a book, a binder, a discenclosure, or the like product having an interior body as shown in FIGS.6, 7, and 8A. The gap 22 between the cover boards 196, 198 defines aspine for the hard cover product 194 that closes by folding the opposingcover boards along the lines defined by the spine 22.

The cover boards 196, 198 each include an inner liner 200 that attachesin overlaying relation, e.g., with an adhesive, to respective opposingsurfaces of the boards 196, 198. The liner 200 is the same or similar tothe above described inner liner 18 typically made of an appropriatelaminate material such as one of the flexible materials described above.The cover boards 196, 198 and liner 202 laminate together to producehard cover product 194.

In the illustrated embodiment, the board 198 defines a laydown area 202on a major planar surface thereof for the placement of the thin-filmtype security device 188. The thin-film security device 188 ispositioned on the laydown area 200 such as with adhesive. The securitydevice 188 may include an adhesive layer, or the adhesive can be appliedthrough a nozzle to the laydown area. The liner 200 is laminated to theboard 198 or otherwise attached thereto (e.g., by an adhesive) tooverlie and concealingly enclose the thin-film type security device 188between the liner 200 and the coverboard 198 and thereby substantiallyor totally conceal its presence. In an alternate embodiment, similarly,the laydown area 202 may be on a surface of the coverboard 198 coveredby the outer liner 12.

Cover liners and inner liners typically have a range of about 80 pounduncoated to about 110 pounds cover weight, although that can vary. It isto be appreciated that the liner 200 generally is thinner or moreflexible than the board, and in this embodiment, there may be a slightraised portion at the location of the laydown area with the thin filmsecurity device 188, but such presence is not readily detectable bycasual observation unless the observation is made more carefully, yetthe hard cover product is within the scope of the invention.

The illustrative embodiments of the hard cover products discussed aboveconcealingly receive and enclose security devices that are responsive toradio frequency interrogators, and it is to be appreciated that securitydevices assembled in situ such as by direct printing of circuit andantenna for the security device using thin layers of electricallyconductive ink are gainfully used with the hard cover product disclosedherein. In that regard, FIG. 19 illustrates in a cut-away perspectiveexploded view a hard cover product 220 having opposing cover boards 222,224, in which the cover board 224 conceals a thin-film ink-circuitprinted security device 226 printed in situ on a laydown area 227(designated with dashed line). The cover board 222, 224 attach to theouter liner 12 and the inner liner 18 in spaced-apart relation to definethe gap 22. The cover boards 222, 224 define front and back covers forthe hard cover product 220, such as a book, a binder, a disc enclosure,or the like product having an interior body, as illustrated in FIGS. 6,7 and 8A. As noted above, the coverboards are typical caliper board usedfor book binding or other hardcover products; for example, an 80 pointboard. The gap 22 defines the spine for the hard cover product 192. Inone embodiment, the gap 22 receives an elongate strip, for example,KRAFT paper or chipboard binder material, for strengthened back or spineportion. The hard cover product 220 closes by folding the opposing coverboards 222, 224 along lines defined on opposing sides of the gap 22; forexample, along scores in the outer liner 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cover board 224 assembles from a pairof opposing boards or sheets 228, 230 that attach together, e.g., withan adhesive, laminatingly on respective opposing major planar surfaces.The boards 228, 230 are typically the same or similar to the abovedescribed boards 130, 142, 144, 180, 186 and as such, are typically madeof a semi-rigid or flexible material, such as chip board, pasted chipboard, card board, grey fibreboard, or the like material used for coverboards for books, backings for note pads, and the like products. Theboards 228, 230 attach together to form the cover board 224 forsubsequent use as a component of hard cover products, such as for casingin a book binding process. By way of example and without limitation, two40 point chipboards laminate together to form a substantially 80 pointcoverboard for use in hard cover products, while concealinglysandwiching there between the ink-circuit printed security device 226.

The thin-film ink-circuit security device 226 is an RFID circuit printeddirectly on the surface of the board 228 in the laydown area 227. Thelaydown area 227 can be a planar surface. With reference to FIG. 9discussed above, the label applicator 96 is not used for manufacture ofthis embodiment. Rather, the label applicator 96 is replaced with aprinter device configured for applying electrically conductive ink of atype known in the electronics circuit art for printing and encoding anRFID circuit with antenna for responding to radio frequencyinterrogation. In an alternate embodiment, however, the printed circuit226 is configured for active response with a processor or chip andmemory device and a battery for operating the active RFID. In thisembodiment, the label applicator 96 is configured for placement of thechip and the battery in electrical communication with the printedcircuit. The ink-printed circuit 226 is a thin film such as less than 1to about 4 millimeters thick. Generally, thin-film ink-printed securitydevices have a thickness that is less than a minority portion of thethickness of the coverboard 228. In accordance with the presentinvention, such printed ink circuit is sufficiently thin that theRFID-configured ink-circuit printed security device 226 can be concealedsandwiched between opposing boards, sheets, or liner, such as the boards228, 230 (or the liner described below), without the use of a recess ordebossment, with minimal or no resulting indications of the presence ofthe thin-film ink-printed security device thereunder.

The board 228 defines the laydown area or portion 227 on a major planarsurface thereof for printing of the thin-film type security device 226.The laydown area 227 may be merely a designated location for theautomated printing of the ink-printed security device 226, or it mayalso be configured with a recess or debossment, for example, tofacilitate the attachment of the chip and battery portion of theprinted-ink circuit by adhesive or other means. In some embodiments, thehard cover product 220 may include indicia (not shown) such as a barcode or other product inventory number, for example as discussed above,indicia 62 on the outer liner 12, with the laydown area 227substantially in alignment with the indicia. A security device detector,for example, may read and deactivate the security device 226 when thehard cover product is scanned for pricing, so that the product can betaken from a store without triggering an alarm or with an activesecurity device to program, enter date, or update the security device asis conventional in the trade.

The thin-film ink-circuit security device 226 is printed in situ on thelaydown area 227, and the boards 228, 230 are laminated or otherwiseattached together (e.g., by an adhesive) sandwiching the printedthin-film security device 226 there between and thereby substantially ortotally concealing its presence inside the coverboard 224. The opposingsides of the board 224 are substantially parallel without a surfaceindication of the security device 226 concealed within the board. Aninterior body, such as the illustrated bound pages 61 defining a bookattach conventionally within the hard cover product 220, such as to thecoverboards 222, 224 and liner sheet 18.

FIG. 20 a illustrates an alternate embodiment in which the spine 22defines the laydown area 227. In this embodiment, a back 232 of thebound pages 61 covers and conceals the ink-circuit security device 226printed on the spine. The printed security device 226 in the embodimentmay be on the inner surface of the outer liner 12 or printed on a KRAFTor chipboard sheet (not illustrated) received into the spine gap.

FIG. 20 b illustrates an alternate embodiment in which the spine 22defines the laydown area 227. In this embodiment, the liner 18 includesa covering portion 18 a that overlaps the gap 22. The liner 18 laminatesto the cover boards 222, 224 and with the covering portion 18 a concealthe ink-circuit security device 226 from casual indication of itspresence and held after attachment safely and securely therein duringmanufacture of the hard cover product and during normal use thereof forhard cover product purposes.

FIG. 21 illustrates in a perspective cut-away view a hard cover product240 having a pair of cover boards 242, 244 attached in spaced-apartrelation to the outer liner 12. The cover boards 242, 244 are the sameor similar to the above described boards 130, 142, 144, 180, 186, and222 and are made of a semi-rigid or flexible material, such as chipboard, pasted chip board, card board, grey fibreboard, or the likematerial used for cover boards for books, backings for note pads, andthe like products. In this embodiment, the cover board 244 defines thelaydown area 227 on which the thin-film ink-circuit security device 226is printed in situ. The inner liner 18 adhesively overlies the interiorsurface of the coverboard 244. The cover boards 242, 244 with the outerliner 12 and the inner liner 18, define front and back covers for thehard cover product 240, such as a book, a binder, a disc enclosure, orthe like product having an interior body as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8A.The gap 22 between the cover boards 242, 244 defines a spine for thehard cover product 240 that closes by folding the opposing cover boardsalong the lines defined by the spine 22.

The liner 18 laminated to the board 244 overlies and concealinglyencloses the thin-film ink-circuit security device 226 between the liner18 and the coverboard 244 and thereby substantially or totally concealsits presence. In an alternate embodiment, similarly, the laydown area227 may be on a surface of the coverboard 244 covered by the outer liner12.

This specification has described the present invention that provides ahard cover product with concealed security devices, including the stepsnecessary for making and using various embodiments thereof. It is to beunderstood, however, that numerous changes and variations may be made inthe construction of the present hard cover product within the spirit andscope of the present invention, and that modifications and changes maybe made therein without departing from the scope thereof as set forth inthe appended claims.

1.-27. (canceled)
 28. A book product, comprising: an outer liner; a pairof rigid cover boards pre-cut to a selected size and each attached on arespective major surface to a major surface of the outer liner, thecover boards disposed in spaced-apart relation to define a spine for abook product while defining opposing front cover and back covertherefor; at least one of the cover boards comprising: a pair ofopposing sheets having opposing planar surfaces with a length and widthexceeding a thickness, a first one of the pair of opposing sheetsdefining in a selected portion a laydown area on one of the planarsurfaces thereof; a thin-film security device positioned on the laydownarea, the security device having a thickness no greater than about aminority of the thickness of the sheet; and the pair of opposing sheetslaminated together to sandwich the thin-film security deviceconcealingly therebetween, with the opposing sides of the one of thecover boards are substantially parallel without a surface indication ofthe presence of the thin-film security device therein, whereby thesecurity device enclosed and laminated in said one of the cover boardsis concealed from casual indication of its presence and is held afterlamination safely and securely during normal use thereof for bookpurposes; and an interior body cooperatively supported within the hardcover product, whereby the opposing rigid cover boards define the frontcover and back cover that move together foldably along lines defined byopposing sides of the spine for book product.
 29. The book product asrecited in claim 28, wherein the outer liner defines a coded indiciathat is displayed on a portion thereof in alignment with the laydownarea of the one of the pair of sheets.
 30. The hard cover product asrecited in claim 28, wherein the security device is a sheet thatincludes an electronic response device.
 31. The hard cover product asrecited in claim 28, wherein the interior body is configured to receivea compact disc.
 32. The hard cover product as recited in claim 28,wherein the interior body comprises a plurality of pages bonded togetheralong a side edge to define a book.
 33. The hard cover product asrecited in 4 claim 28, wherein the interior body comprises a ring memberfor receiving sheets.
 34. The hard cover product as recited in claim 28,wherein the security device is an RFID device.
 35. The hard coverproduct as recited in claim 28, wherein the cover boards are chipboard.36. The hard cover product as recited in claim 28, wherein the coverboards are cardboard.
 37. The hard cover product as recited in claim 28,wherein the cover boards are fibreboard.
 38. The hard cover product asrecited in claim 28, wherein the laydown area comprises a recess. 39.The hard cover product as recited in claim 28, wherein the laydown areacomprises a debossment.
 40. The hard cover product as recited in claim28, further comprising an inner liner attached in overlying relation toan opposing planar surface of at least the one of the cover boards. 41.A book product, comprising: an outer liner; a pair of cover boardspre-cut to a selected size and having opposing planar surfaces with alength and width exceeding a thickness, each cover board attached on arespective one of the planar surfaces to a major surface of the outerliner and disposed in spaced-apart relation to define a spine gap for abook product while defining opposing front and back cover therefor; atleast one of the cover boards defining a laydown area in a selectedportion of one of the opposing planar surfaces thereof; and a thin-filmsecurity device positioned on the laydown area, the security devicehaving a thickness no greater than about a minority of the thickness ofthe one of the cover boards; and an inner liner attached in overlyingrelation to the respective second major surface of the one of the coverboards, and the inner liner, the security device, the one of the coverboards, and the outer liner laminated together to sandwich the thin-filmsecurity device concealingly there between, whereby the security deviceenclosed therein is concealed from casual indication of its presence andis held after lamination safely and securely therein during normal usethereof for book product purposes; and an interior body cooperativelysupported within the hard cover product, whereby the opposing coverboards define the front cover and back cover that move together foldablyalong lines defined by opposing sides of the spine for the book product.42. The hard cover product as recited in claim 41, wherein the outerliner defines a coded indicia that is displayed on a portion thereof inalignment with the laydown area of the one of the cover boards.
 43. Thehard cover product as recited in claim 41, wherein the security deviceis a sheet that includes an electronic response device.
 44. The hardcover product as recited in claim 41, further comprising a spine memberreceived in the spine.
 45. The hard cover product as recited in claim41, wherein the interior body is configured to receive a compact disc.46. The hard cover product as recited in claim 41, wherein the interiorbody comprises a plurality of pages bonded together along a side edge todefine a book.
 47. The hard cover product as recited in claim 41,wherein the interior body comprises a ring member for receiving sheets.48. The hard cover product as recited in claim 41, wherein the securitydevice is an RFID device.
 49. The hard cover product as recited in claim41, wherein the cover boards are chip board.
 50. The hard cover productas recited in claim 41, wherein the cover boards are cardboard.
 51. Thehard cover product as recited in claim 41, wherein the cover boards arefibreboard.
 52. The hard cover product as recited in claim 41, whereinthe laydown area comprises a recess.
 53. The hard cover product asrecited in claim 41, wherein the laydown area comprises a debossment.54. A book product, comprising: an outer liner; a pair of cover boardspre-cut to a selected size and having opposing major surfaces, eachattached on a respective one of the major surfaces to a major surface ofthe outer liner, the cover boards disposed in spaced-apart relation todefine a gap that receives a spine for a hard cover product whiledefining opposing front cover and back cover therefor; at least one ofthe cover boards comprising a sheet having opposing planar surfaces witha length and width exceeding a thickness, and defining in a selectedportion a laydown area; and a thin-film security device positioned onthe laydown area, the security device having a thickness no greater thanabout a minority of the thickness of the sheet; and an inner linerattached in overlying relation to the respective second major surface ofthe one of the cover boards, and the inner liner, the security device,the one of the cover boards, and the outer liner laminated together tosandwich the thin-film security device concealingly there between,whereby the security device enclosed therein is concealed from casualindication of its presence and is held after lamination safely andsecurely therein during normal use thereof for book product purposes;and an interior body having the spine cooperatively supported within thehard cover product, whereby the opposing cover boards define the frontcover and back cover that move together foldably along lines defined byopposing sides of the spine for supporting and enclosing the interiorbody in the book product.
 55. The hard cover product as recited in claim54, wherein the outer liner defines a coded indicia that is displayed ona portion thereof in alignment with the laydown area of the one of thecover boards.
 56. The hard cover product as recited in claim 54, whereinthe security device is a sheet that includes an electronic responsedevice.
 57. The hard cover product as recited in claim 54, furthercomprising an interior body configured to receive a compact disc. 58.The hard cover product as recited in claim 54, wherein the interior bodycomprises a plurality of pages bonded together along a side edge todefine a book.
 59. The hard cover product as recited in claim 54,wherein the interior body comprises a ring member for receiving sheets.60. The hard cover product as recited in claim 54, wherein the securitydevice is an RFID device.
 61. The hard cover product as recited in claim54, wherein the cover boards are chipboard.
 62. The hard cover productas recited in claim 54, wherein the cover boards are cardboard.
 63. Thehard cover product as recited in claim 54, wherein the cover boards arefibreboard.
 64. The hard cover product as recited in claim 54, whereinthe laydown area comprises a recess.
 65. The hard cover product asrecited in claim 54, wherein the laydown area comprises a debossment.